TEMPERANCE TRUTHS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10483, 23 October 1899, Page 2

TEMPERANCE TRUTHS.

(Published by arrangement.) TRUTH FOR NEW" ZEALAND VOTERS. Ex-Governor Larrabee, of lowa, writes to Canadian voters and tells of the success of prohibition in that State. To Canadian Voters, —"The Voice" requests mc to address a few lines to you concerning the value of prohibstaon, as proved by expedience in lowa. The question of prohibition has been submitted to a vote of the people of this State twice, and both times wne adopted by them, the last time by ft majority of nearly 30,000. The ProhibitJota statute came into force July 4 th, 1884, and >was amended and strengthened in 1889. Within four years from tie last date, nearly 3000 saloons were closed in lowa. The law gTew steadily in public favour, and for two years prior to 1890 it was nearly as well enforced in ninety out of the ninety-nitre counties of the State as any other law. It was better enforced in these ninety counties than any license law has ever been enforced in the State. The good effects of the enforcement of the law was observable on. every hand. County gaols were emptied; the number of convicts in our penitentiaries was constantly decreased ; the testimony of the judges of our Courts showed that criminal business had been reduced from 30 to 75 per cent. , and expenses of criminal Courts were reduced in like proportion. There wae a remarkable j decrease in tbe business and foes of sheriffs • and criminal hivryers, as well aa in the nrim- ; ber of requisitions and extradition warrants issued. We had less paupers and less tramps in the State, in proportion to our population, than ever before. Breweries were converted into oatmeal mills and canning factories, and operated aa such by their owners. The report of the superintendent of public instruction, showed an increased school attendance throughout the State. The poorer classes had far better clothing, better schooling, and better houses. The deposits in banks showed an unprecedented increase, and everywihere there were indications of a healthy growth in legitimate trade. Merchants and commercial travellers reported less losses in collections in lowa than elsewhere. It is safe to say that not one-tenth, and probably not one-twentieth as much liquor was consumed in the State as there was five years before. The standard of temperance has oeen greatly raised; and this was true even in those cities where the 'law was not well enforced. Many a man formerly accustomed to drink and treat in a saloon abandoned the practice in deference to public opinion. The law was even more successful and by far more beneficial than its most hopeful friends anticipated. But the liquor interests are always active, and have been in this State, as elsewhere; and secured a modification of our law in 1894, enabling saloons to be opened where a certain proportion of the people petitioned for it. This law has now been in operation for four years with most disastrous results. Gaols are now again filled; the number of convicts in our penitentiaries nas nearly or . quite doubled, and the same can be said of the poorhouses. Taxes have increased. But I hope and believe that a reaction will soon come, and that we may take another step forward in the temperance cause, and adopt entire prohibition in the near future. I Would advise any state or country to adopt the prohibitory law that can reasonably well enforce it. It is the true remedy. WILLIAM LARRABEE. Dcs Moines, lowa, September 16tb, 1898.